Same old Uncle Kal

They didn’t meet Kal privately, the servant led them to an audience chamber of sorts. That was of, course, only proper for welcoming visitors like them, but it meant that certain conversations would have to wait.

What wasn’t at all proper was the way Uncle Kal immediately exclaimed “RIRI!” and ran to envelop his sister in a crushing hug, lifting her off the floor with ease. As soon as he put her down, he turned to Vel.

“And my favorite nephew! Don’t you dare think you’re too big for a hug, Velas!”

Vel was ever so slightly taller than his uncle by now, but there was no point attempting to fight the strong man’s crushing embrace, nor did he want to. Considering they were visiting nobility and Kal an exarch, it would have been proper for them to at least bow and offer some thanks for the welcome and so on, but family trumped ceremony in the mind of Lord Exarch Kalran Hothemer.

“Stormlord’s thundering farts, it is good to see you both again! I can’t wait to see the others! If Vel has grown this much in the two short years since I last saw any of you, I assume Ella can finally reach my knees!”

He made no effort at all to keep his voice down, meaning the servants and other staff could hear everything. Vel was still recovering from the hug but did his best to not rub the spot on his arm he was sure would bruise.

“It’s good to see you too, Uncle Kal, I bet Veldred will be excited as well!”

His uncle grinned at the mention of the big destrier he’d once gifted his nephew, his excitement obvious. His eyes briefly moved down to Vel’s legs, no doubt wanting to confirm with his own eyes what he had been told in letters. Before Kal could say anything though, his sister spoke up.

“Much has changed indeed, Kal, I look forward to telling you all about it.”

Something in Lady Rienne’s tone seemed to alert Kal that she wanted to speak about something serious, and some of the joviality faded as he grew more serious.

“And talk we shall, at length. But I fear it will have to wait until evening, you know how many demands there are on my time on a day of petitions.”

Lady Rienne nodded graciously at her brother. “Of course, Kal, we expected nothing else.”

Uncle Kal’s smile faded completely, and he lowered his tone to the point where both Vel and his mother had to lean in a little to hear him. “And Riri, I wanted to warn you before you ran into her. She is here. I am sorry, I would have sent word to you in my letters if I had known she was coming.”

Vel didn’t know who Kal meant, but the way his uncle had said “she” was clearly enough for his mother to understand. He saw her lips tighten involuntarily into a thin line and quickly reached for her mind, which of course was completely open to him. There he saw the answer writ large across her thoughts. It should have been obvious.

His aunt was here, and it wasn’t Uncle Kal’s wife. The Lady Maerwynn Hothemer was probably around too, but was not the one his mother had been warned about. Lady Rienne and Lord Exarch Kalran were very close, sharing a strong sibling bond, Vel knew. As such he’d seen quite a bit of his uncle growing up, despite the distance, and exchanging letters had always been encouraged. But there was a third Hothemer sibling, the troublesome middle child. Vel knew she and his mother did not get along, and he’d only met her a few times. He’d gotten the impression Uncle Kal got on somewhat better with her, but not anywhere near as well as he did with his youngest sibling. This was certainly an unforeseen development and, at least as far as his mother was concerned, an unpleasant one.

“Thank you, Kal, I appreciate the warning. And don’t apologize, you did nothing wrong.” Her expression brightened as she gave her brother a warm smile. “Besides, seeing you again is more than worth the cost of enduring her.”

Kal returned her smile, the well-worn creases around his eyes deepening as he did so. An unpleasant realization hit Vel; his favorite uncle really was growing old. He focused more closely, and realized the fiery mane that framed his uncle’s face had crept backwards since last he saw him, the hairline clearly receding. He was snapped out of his dispiriting thoughts by his mother’s voice.

“Now, should we not at least show some decorum? There are words Vel and I should say as guests in your domain and-“

Kal waved a hand to cut her off. “Pah, you are always welcome here, and my protection fully extends to you. You are my blood and my family, and anyone who does not extend the same kindness, consideration, or obedience to you as they would my wife or children shall be thrown into the waves.”

He’d said it loudly, with the official tone lords adopted when making a proclamation. He cleared his throat before speaking normally again.

“There, that ought to do. Sadly, I do have duties to return to now. A servant will show you to the wing made available to you; the rest of the Andros flock should be there already.”

He was about to leave when he quickly turned back to them and, sounding like he was doing it more for the sake of the onlookers than anyone else, spoke again.

“And I am of course very sorry for your loss. It grieved me deeply to hear of Luthor’s passing. If either of you need anything, please let me know.”

Vel and his mother both gave the polite replies that propriety demanded, but Vel suspected his uncle knew them both well enough to know there wasn’t much sadness behind the words. His eyes twinkled as he gave them another warm smile.

“Until tonight then.”